First FY09 NEA Grants Announced (12/11/08)

The first FY09 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant awards were announced on December 4 through the Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One grant category and the Challenge America Fast-Track Review grant category.

Grant awards in the FY09 Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One category include $1,430,500 in grants to orchestras providing educational activities, concerts, festivals, professional development, and residencies through 55 distinct projects serving communities across the country.

Orchestras in 14 communities will provide performances, workshops, festivals, and master classes with the support of $10,000 grants through the Challenge America Fast-Track Review grant category, including $140,000 in awards to orchestras.

The League has compiled the project descriptions for grants to orchestras and grants related to the orchestra field. Complete lists of grant amounts and project descriptions for the 151 Challenge America grants and 886 Access to Artistic Excellence, Part One grants awarded in all disciplines and may be found on the NEA website. Future FY09 grants will be announced in the categories of Learning in the Arts for Children & Youth and Access to Artistic Excellence, Part Two.